Council briefs

John Higginbotham, who uses a scooter, would like to see the walkway widened on either side of the Ryan Road hill, which would increase accessibility at the new regional hospital. He says the north side of the sidewalk is too narrow if two scooter users happen to pass each other.

“That needs to be changed,” he said Monday at Courtenay council.

Higginbotham suggests a four-metre walkway on the north side and a three-metre walkway on the south side of Ryan. He also offered to conduct a scooter tour for council and staff.

Sidewalk retention request denied

Several residents have requested the sidewalk on the north side of Second Street between Cliffe and Duncan be retained during a street reconstruction project. The City, however, could not accommodate their request for an exception to a policy of constructing sidewalks on one side of a street. The project design — one sidewalk on the south side of Second — conforms with the Official Community Plan. Only the south sidewalk connects to pedestrian infrastructure to Fitzgerald Avenue.

Organic waste facility update

City of Campbell River staff updated council on a regional organics compost facility to be located at the Norm Wood Environmental

Centre in Campbell River.

As it stands, there is no permanent facility in the region that can process organic wastes.

Amber Zirnhelt, manager of community planning, said 35 per cent of household waste is organic, presenting a “huge opportunity for diversion from the landfill.”

The facility will be capable of processing more than 12,000 tonnes of residential and commercial organics per year. It is expected to be operating by Jan. 1, 2017.

Sheraton Road subdivision approved

In a split vote, council approved third reading of a rezoning bylaw for a proposed 19-lot subdivision at Sheraton Road.